a commune in Burgundy has had no drinking water for eight years

In Chemilly-sur-Serein (Yonne), residents have not been able to drink tap water for eight years. The town’s water is polluted with desethyl terbumeton, a pesticide residue. According to the fountain maker, who was also a winegrower, this herbicide has long been used in the village sector. “Me, I thought that we were being sold non-harmful products (…) that we were not going to find 20 years later in the groundwater”he says.

The mayor of the town, who does not appreciate that the fountain man speaks to the press, fires him during the report. He owns one of the most important wine estates in the village. However, he agreed to answer journalists’ questions and announced a carbon filter system, estimated at 300,000 euros, to make the town’s water drinkable. In the meantime, residents must buy bottle stocks. However, for reasons of economy, some still cook with tap water.